Sophia Centre Graduation Day

An account of the day by Alice Ekrek
and astrological analysis by Claire Chandler

On Saturday, 24 July 2004, the first six graduates of the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology attended their graduation ceremony at Bath Spa University College. One of their tutors, Nick Campion, received his doctoral award (PhD) at the same ceremony for his research into the extent and nature of belief in astrology. Members of the Sophia Committee, Sophia Centre staff, family and friends were present to witness the occasion.

MA graduates and their tutors, from left to right: James Brockbank, Wendy Stacey, Bernard Eccles, David Rowan, Dr Patrick Curry, Faye Cossar, Dr Nicholas Campion and Jane Amanda

The six MA graduates were Jane Amanda, James Brockbank, Faye Cossar, Bernard Eccles, David Rowan and Wendy Stacey. They were among the first intake of students in October 2002 (except in the case of Faye, who began in Spring 2003), and completed the course full-time in one year – which was no small task! The ceremony gave us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements during that time.

The ceremony itself took place from 11 am – 12.30 pm on Saturday 24 July 2004, and included all BA, MA and PhD graduates within the schools of Historical and Cultural Studies (which includes the Cultural Astronomy & Astrology department) and English and Creative Studies at the University College.

Nick Campion called out the names of the six graduates, which he began to do at 11:53 am. He was then presented with his PhD award by the Head of Historical and Cultural Studies, Dr Fiona Montgomery, at a few minutes after 12 pm. After a short speech by the speaker, Mr Chris Shepley (Chairman of the Bath Festivals Trust), and a few words from the Director, a brass band played a rendition of "God Save the Queen" to close the ceremony.

After a quick photo-shoot, the graduates, tutors, family and friends and members of the Sophia Committee enjoyed a celebratory lunch at the nearby Boathouse pub on the bank of the river Avon. A number of toasts were made to the graduates, staff and students of the Sophia Centre, to astrology in the university and to the Sophia Committee for making it all possible. Prof. Michael York was unable to attend the graduation day since he was abroad at the time.

Prof. York, who has been the Head of the Sophia Centre since its inception in summer 2002, will be retiring in September and Nick Campion will be succeeding him as Head of the Sophia Centre.

Dr Nick Campion makes a toast

Everyone gathered to toast the occasion

The graduates are now members of the Alumni of the Sophia Centre (ASC - thanks to Faye for suggesting the name), and will be invited to special events and meetings in the future, forming an integral part of the community which has been growing and developing at the Sophia Centre over the last few years.

And now for the astrology...

Claire Chandler

When I saw the chart for the graduation ceremony, I had to add a comentary on the charts as the chart for the start of the Sophia Graduates role call makes some astonishing connections with the chart for the opening of the centre and with significant points of many individuals involved.

Sophia Centre Opening

Sophia Graduates

The first thing which caught my attention was the Sun Moon contacts between the two charts. The graduation chart has a Libra ascendant with the Moon at 23 Libra in the first house. This is conjunct the Sun of the opening chart.

The opening chart has the Sun trine the Moon in air, clearly seen in the collaborative, Moon in Aquarius, partnerships, Sun in Libra, which were necessary to establish the MA course. Many of the students on the MA course are themselves well respected and accomplished astrologers which is another echo of Aquarius Libra.

Not only does the Moon of the graduation chart conjunct the Sun of the opening chart, but by definition, it will also trine the Moon of the opening chart. Not only that, but the progressed Sun of the opening chart has reached 23 Libra completing this configuration. As I know that Drs Curry and Campion both have Libra Moons, and others involved at Bath Spa also have personal planets in Libra, this is a wonderful symbolic accolade for the hard work of all involved, both staff and students: another echo of the Sun Moon contacts.

The ascendant of the graduation chart is within the Mercury ruled, sixth house of the opening chart - this is a celebration for this particular set of graduates but it is, hopefully, business as usual for the Sophia Centre. After all, turning out graduates is what they do.

The graduation chart has its chart ruler, Venus, in the ninth house of higher education and makes trines to the Sun Moon configurations mentioned above. It is also part of the powerful transiting T-square of Venus, Pluto and Jupiter which was in orb over summer 2004 during Venus’s retrograde period. Does this speak of changes in the nature of learning and the value of education?

The Mercury and Mars of the opening chart are conjunct the graduation ascendant. Rigour and debate and the ability to question sacred cows – the Sophia Centre is a converted cow shed, fitting for a Taurus Ascendant – are central to the course.

Saturn in the graduation chart is tightly conjunct the IC of the opening chart. Could this be the end of the beginning? The fourth house is the end of the matter and this is the first set of graduates? Saturn rules the 9th, 10th and 11th houses in the opening chart pulling in higher education, achievement and friendships and associations. All of these areas have been a central aspect of the MA course and the growing network between the various Sophia projects and the allumini of Bath Spa give the astrological community a priceless asset.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally congratulate all the MA graduates on their graduation and also Dr. Nick Campion on the receipt of his doctorate. I know, from conversations with some of you, just how much work you put in.

Those involved with the Sophia Project should also be thanked. The journey from the initial meeting at Latimer House to the first sets of graduates has been an eventful road. Thanks should go to: the Benefactor, Lyndsay Radermacher, Babs Kiby, Sue Cameron, Bernard Eccles, Geoffrey Cornelius, Nick Campion, Liz Greene, Patrick Curry, Pat Blacket and those from the Urania Trust and the APAE who gave their feedback freely. If I have missed anyone, please accept my thanks for your efforts and my apologies for missing you out.

Further information on the various aspects of the Sophia Project can be found on the links page.